The Crucial Role of Medical Assistants

By: Sambriddi Adhikari

When we first think of career options in healthcare we instantly think of doctors, surgeons, nurses, or dentists. Yet there are countless other career options in this field, each of which plays a crucial role in creating a well-rounded healthcare system and continuously improving the health of people. One of the healthcare careers that is highly overlooked is the job of a Medical Assistant; they are the glue that holds hospitals and clinics together.

Medical Assistants are responsible for a variety of different things some of which are interactive with the patients while others are behind-the-scenes duties they have to fulfill. Some of their responsibilities include making appointments, drawing blood, recording vital signs, administering medications, and many more types of patient care. One of the benefits of pursuing a career as a Medical Assistant is that it presents various opportunities to advance into other careers in the healthcare field if you wish to extend your career over the years.

Unlike many of the other healthcare careers, being a medical assistant is not a lengthy process. This process can take a maximum of 2 years if you choose to earn an associate's degree as a medical assistant, if not you can get a Medical Assisting certificate in under a year, taking only 9 months to complete. Along with that a high school diploma is required before you start school to become a Medical Assistant, though a four-year university is not needed. You can go straight to studying to be a medical Assistant right after high school without years of prerequisites to complete beforehand. After completing the schooling portion, aspiring medical assistants have the opportunity to earn their certification. Though it is not a requirement, it is highly encouraged for a medical assistant student to get their certification because it makes them more qualified for different skills. It also increases your chances of landing a proper job as a medical assistant because many clinics and hospitals are looking for medical assistants who have earned their certification as well.

Overall, a Medical Assistant is the perfect job for anyone who has an interest in the healthcare field. It is not a time-consuming job either, since medical assistants have the option to work full-time or part-time and change their flexible schedules depending on their specific situations. This job also provides people with financial stability as the average pay of a Medical Assistant varies from $40k - $66k per year.

Work Cited

Salary: Medical Assistant in Sacramento, CA 2024 | Glassdoor, www.glassdoor.com/Salaries/sacramento-ca-medical-assistant-salary-SRCH_IL.0,13_IM747_KO14,31.htm. Accessed 1 Feb. 2025. 

“Medical Assistants: What Do They Do?” WebMD, WebMD, www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/what-is-a-medical-assistant. Accessed 31 Jan. 2025. 

“Guide on Becoming a Medical Assistant in California.” San Joaquin Valley College, 22 Aug. 2023, www.sjvc.edu/guides/guide-on-becoming-a-medical-assistant-in-california/. 

Vendor, Prism. “How Medical Assistants Should Act.” Prism Career Institute, Prism Career Institute, 31 Oct. 2019, prismcareerinstitute.edu/blog/representing-yourself-and-your-workplace-to-patients-as-a-medical-assistant/.